03GWing
We've been hearing about the Bird museum from our friends. We took some friends and pilot visiting from Texas. What a great collection, sure it's a little smaller exhibit then most but still some great planes and a few cars for you gear heads. We were met by a very nice gentleman named Loren who took the time and gave us a guided private tour of the collection. The upstairs inventors collection was awesome everything from the guy who invented kitty litter to Dr Birds breathing machines that changed medical history. So if your feeling the cabin fever get out and go visit the Bird Aviation Museum. Enjoy!!!
NurseKarRN
Wonderful museum for people of all ages. This museum will facinate people of all interests as well. WW II, military, planes, science, health, antique cars, inventions from Barbie to Apple computer. Fun stuff! We learn something new each time we visit.
KathuP
After reading a short blurb about it in the AAA book, we were curious about this museum.The power was out for our visit, but with the generator providing some lighting and our handy flashlight, we were able to read signage and see most things. This is a fascinating place and we've been recommending it to everyone we talk to. Everything is well displayed and captioned. The invention gallery is unique and especially fascinating. Thank you for a wonderful visit.We weren't able to eat at the café due to the power outage, but I've heard that the food is good.
H2088IQjenniferb
We were super surprised at the quality and information this museum has to offer! We met Dr. Bird while we were there and felt privileged! We rank this higher than the Aerospace museum in Washington DC. Awesome for families. Don't miss it!
Yellowbilledtours
A local brilliant museum very well curated with inventions,world war two materials commercial aircraft industry material, including interesting airplanes and cars too.The restaurant is great and reasonably priced.
ragsr
Dr. Forrest Bird I'd one of the most interesting people in our area and most likely of our generation!His collection of inventions is inspiring...you've just got to set some time aside to investigate.
308kenf
The Bird Aviation Museum has so much more than just aviation things to see. There are inventions from all over the country as well as a real retired and famous astronaut at the help desk!
817kathye
My husband is a pilot, we go to all aviation museums. There was a nice display of planes and cars. The museum also offered more for the non-pilot. Dr. Bird invented respirators that are still used today. I don't think the number of lives he saved could be counted. Upstairs is a nice display of all the respirators, plus one room is filled with various inventions. Did you ever think about someone inventing kitty litter?The café is very, very good. My salad was made all from ingredients picked that morning from the garden. The raspberry pie is the best I've ever had.
brandylcat
What an amazing museum!! In researching our trip to the area I came across this excellent museum. We spent almost three hours here, listening to the guides Paul and John and walking about the exhibits on our own. The vast amount of history is staggering. A beautiful facility, and with no entry fee how can you possibly go wrong?! It is a bit of a drive to reach the museum but well worth it. As we drove back down the hill my husband was regretting that we hadn't spent longer. There is also a scavenger hunt for the kids to do that both our kids avidly attacked. I can't empathize enough that this is WELL worth the stop!!
heartimes
The other day I told the umpteenth person about this great museum and realized I had never written a review of it. For some reason, it's not reviewed in travel books (that I've seen, anyway), and it's certainly not the kind of thing you would ever just stumble upon--but it's great! We learned about it from a 60 Minutes program, and my husband and I looked at each other and immediately said, "We've got to go there!" So we planned a trip to WA, OR, ID, and MT, just so we could visit this museum. I'm more than a little jealous of the reviewer that actually got to meet Dr. Bird! Yes, it's off the beaten path, but that means you're not contending with hordes of tourists as you wander around a building filling with incredible WWII vintage cars, airplanes, newspapers, posters, and other artifacts. I grew up in the era of the iron lung, but I had never seen one before going to this museum. Why is there an iron lung there? Well, this is an aviation and inventions museum, and Dr. Bird is not only an aviator extraordinaire, but he's also a member of the Inventors Hall of Fame, and one of his inventions help to free polio victims from their iron lungs.His achievements are absolutely incredible. And how many babies owe their lives to Dr. Bird and his invention of the BabyBird respirator? I highly recommend a visit to this museum, and until you can actually go, I'd encourage you to learn about the lifetime achievements of the incredible Dr. Forrest BirdCan you tell we loved this museum? Plus, it's free and you can enjoy the beautiful Idaho scenery as you make your way there. A desire to see this museum was the inspiration for our vacation, and we were not disappointed.
RockyMtnRamblers
Stopped because of all the excellent reviews and was rewarded for our effort. We met Dr. Bird and had a wonderful museum tour. Great displays of vintage cars and planes and tons of historical information on various inventors and aviation pioneers. Dr. Bird and his museum are a national treasure. Admission is free but they accept and earn donations.
DaleS135
A visit to Bird Museum is one you'll never forget. Outstanding exhibits of Dr Bird's medical inventions plus vintage cars, planes and much more. It's worth the drive uphill from Sagle to his beautiful mountain retreat. Knowledgeable docents will take you through and explain everything well. This is a Sandpoint gem.
ChipL_13
Dr. Bird invented the Bird Respirator that has saved millions of lives. The technology came from his love of aviation and his experience solving the problems of high speed and high altitude flight. This museum has it all, airplanes and technology dating back to the early 1900's. A MUST See in North Idaho.
PennyT136
This place is a jewel hidden in the country. I must admit I was surprised to find such an interesting place in Sagle, Idaho. The museum features a wide array of interesting inventions. Plan to spend a couple hours taking in all the information and wondering the museum full offerings. The gift store is nice and the staff very helpful. Enjoy!
abee60
Dr. Bird invented the respirator and has been inventing devices to help people ever since. The museum also highlights other inventors.